Jaishankar calls dialogue with 'Terroristan' impossible to conduct

S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, in an interview to Asia Society Policy Institute's President Kevin Rudd, made a statement asserting that New Delhi does not have any problems in conducting discussions with Pakistan but not with ‘Terroristan’. Referring to Pakistan as ‘Terroristan’ Jaishankar stated that Islamabad has bred an ‘entire industry of terrorism’ to fuel conflict in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that New Delhi cannot engage with a state that propagates terrorism. In a statement to the media, Jaishankar stated that Pakistan needs to accept the fact that the model on which they have built the state no longer works.  

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‘They have to accept the model which they have built for themselves, no longer works. You cannot in this day and age, conduct policy using terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft that is at the heart of the issue. We have no problem talking to Pakistan, we have a problem talking to terroristan.’  S Jaishankhar said in a statement.

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Jaishankar on Pakistan

S Jaishankar further speaking of the prevalence of terrorism in Pakistan spoke of the country engaging in an environment that creates an atmosphere to further breed terrorism. He spoke of the abrogation of Article 370 and stated that Pakistan’s reaction reflects the country’s own personal frustration and jealousy. The Government of India abrogated Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on August 5, that gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, it also bifurcated the state into two union territories - Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh. This agitated Pakistan that continued to approach various countries and international organisations to seek support on the Kashmir issue. 

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About Article 370 

Jaishankar, speaking of Article 370 stated that the Article had provided the state of Jammu and Kashmir with provisions which did not allow economic growth in the state. Local ownership of property basically meant that there would be no outside investments from an external party. He added that a lack of development in the state gave birth to a ‘sense of alienation’ that led to ‘separatism’. This separatism was further used to fuel terrorism in the state.  

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(With ANI inputs)